The standard for international competitions, including the Winter Olympics, is a uniform ice surface referred to as Olympic ice.

Trained experts, dubbed 'ice masters', oversee the creation and upkeep of this surface, bringing their specialized skills to the task.

Their primary objective is to provide a surface that meets the needs of athletes competing in various ice sports, such as curling, figure skating, and ice hockey.

In preparation for the men's and women's ice hockey matches, a brand-new arena was constructed in Milan-Cortina, despite facing delays, concerns, and rushed construction timelines.

The process of creating the ice for these competitions raises an interesting question: what steps are involved in making the rink's ice surface?

The process begins with the installation of a 5-centimetre insulation layer on the concrete floor, followed by the placement of a vapour barrier. Subsequently, engineers add mats infused with glycol, which helps maintain the ice at a low temperature.

The construction of the rink continues with the installation of boards and glass walls, after which approximately two inches of water is poured over the mat. This marks the initial formation of the ice sheets.

The ice surface is then coated with a layer of white paint and sealed. Additionally, the necessary markings and logos for ice hockey are applied to the surface.

The final step involves flooding the rink with an additional 3-4 centimetres of water to create the ice playing surface. To maintain optimal conditions, the temperature is kept within a range of -5 to -4 degrees Celsius.

To ensure a smooth playing surface, resurfacing machines, commonly referred to as Zambonis, are regularly deployed to remove a layer of ice and create a new, even surface.

According to Mark Messer, the ice master responsible for the long track speed skating event, the most significant challenge is adapting to a new system with limited preparation time, given the high-profile nature of the competition.

Messer noted that while temporary ice setups have been successfully implemented in the past, the scale of this particular endeavor is unprecedented, especially in the context of an Olympic Games.

The upcoming Milan-Cortina event will mark a historic first, as it will be the inaugural time a temporary venue is utilized for long track speed skating at a Winter Olympics.

We invite you to submit your questions for further information.

The process of repairing the ice surface is facilitated by the use of ice resurfacing machines, which focus on restoring the top layer to optimal condition.

The Winter Olympics feature a range of sports, each with its own unique ice requirements to ensure optimal athlete performance.

Ice conditions vary significantly from one sport to another, with some necessitating softer or harder surfaces, as well as specific temperature ranges.

According to Messer, in an interview with BBC Sport, the diversity of ice types used in various winter sports is often underestimated, with each discipline having distinct requirements and conditions.

In the case of curling, the ice surface must have a pebbled finish, which is achieved by spraying the surface with water that then freezes into small droplets.

For ice hockey, a harder ice surface is essential, as it enables players to make sudden stops when necessary, relying on the ice's rigidity for stability and control.

The conditions required for long track speed skating are quite specific, with a need for a thin and hard ice surface, making it the coldest of all Olympic ice disciplines.

A unique challenge awaits technicians in Milan-Cortina, where figure skating and short track speed skating will share a venue, necessitating surface adjustments that can take up to three hours to complete during the Games.

Figure skating demands a warmer, softer ice surface to facilitate safe landings, as excessively cold ice can be prone to shattering upon impact, whereas short track speed skating necessitates a thinner, colder surface.

According to Moffatt, the standards for these events must be exceptionally high, stating, "These are the best athletes in the world, so everything has to be the best."

Among the competitors in figure skating's ice dance category will be Team GB's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson.

The quality of water used is crucial in producing and sustaining Olympic-grade ice.

To achieve optimal conditions, ice technicians assess the water's pH levels and treat it to eliminate impurities and minerals.

Additionally, they monitor the total dissolved solids, which encompasses all organic and inorganic matter, including minerals, present in the water.

An imbalance in the total dissolved solids can have adverse effects: excessive levels can cause the ice to become cloudy, while insufficient levels can prevent the ice from forming a solid bond, leading to breakage.

Various external factors can potentially alter the ice's condition, which may, in turn, impact an athlete's performance.

Several factors are considered when evaluating a venue, including abrupt temperature fluctuations, lighting conditions, and crowd density.

According to Messer, numerous elements influence the final outcome, such as air temperature, air movement, humidity, spectator noise, lighting heat, water composition, and other factors. Additionally, the operator of the ice resurfacer has a significant impact on ice conditions.

This report is part of BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything series, which provides in-depth information on various topics.

LeBron James's potential participation in the NBA All-Star game remains a possibility.

The use of pickle juice among athletes has sparked curiosity, prompting an examination of its purposes and benefits.